European football night in Freiburg: SC Freiburg host Maccabi Tel Aviv
The Europa League in the 2025/2026 season brings another big night to Freiburg: on 22 January 2026 at 18:45, SC Freiburg and Maccabi Tel Aviv will take the pitch at Europa-Park Stadion in a Matchday 7 clash of the league phase. Although in the new UEFA format the classic groups are no longer played, but instead one big league in which each team has eight opponents, every single match carries enormous weight, especially at this late stage when the table becomes clearer and every win can mean a direct path to the round of 16 or at least a more favorable draw in the play-offs. At the modern stadium with a capacity of around 34,700 spectators, Freiburg enjoy support that in the Bundesliga is often close to maximum – in the 2024/2025 season, the average attendance was above 34,000 fans per match, which means that tickets for this event have a real chance to sell out long before the first whistle. Maccabi Tel Aviv, multiple champions of Israel and in recent seasons a regular participant in European competitions, bring their recognizable yellow wave of supporters and experience of playing against the continent’s strongest clubs. For everyone who wants to feel this combination of German organization and Israeli temperament in the stands, the most sensible move is to secure your tickets for this clash already now and, by purchasing tickets with a click on the button below, treat yourself to a night that will be remembered for a long time.
The Europa League’s new format and the significance of the Matchday 7 clash
The new Europa League structure, in which 36 clubs play in one shared league table under the Swiss-system format, has already proven how unpredictable and tense the competition can be ahead of the knockout phase. Each team has eight opponents – four at home and four away – and only the top eight in the overall standings go directly to the round of 16, while teams placed 9th to 24th enter additional play-off ties. That means Matchday 7 can prove crucial: some clubs are trying to certify already-earned starting positions, some are fighting to catch the train into the play-offs, and some for simple survival in the European story. SC Freiburg have, in recent seasons, strengthened their status as regular participants in European competitions, using continuity in the Bundesliga and a growing coefficient to draw stronger and stronger opponents, while Maccabi Tel Aviv were champions of Israel in the 2024/2025 season and then, through qualifiers, moved from the Champions League into the Europa League league phase, continuing their continuity in UEFA competitions in 2025/2026 as well. Precisely for that reason, this showdown in Freiburg is not just another date on the calendar, but potentially a match that will largely determine what the final picture of the standings looks like for both clubs, and with that the interest in the remaining tickets grows as the matchday approaches.
SC Freiburg on the European rise under Julian Schuster
For years Freiburg have been synonymous with patient, stable work and a recognizable philosophy under Christian Streich, and from the summer of 2024 the baton was taken over by Julian Schuster, the club’s former captain and a coach who continues the same line, but with his own tactical finesse. After the team secured fifth place in the Bundesliga in the 2024/2025 season and qualification for the Europa League, Schuster’s ability to combine the development of young players with competitive ambition was confirmed. In the current season, Freiburg are again hovering around the middle and upper part of the Bundesliga table, relying on a technically strong and very hard-working squad in which the experienced midfielder and wing magician Vincenzo Grifo, the marathon man Christian Günter on the left flank, and increasingly important attackers such as Junior Adamu and new offensive options the club brought in to deepen the rotation particularly stand out. Statistics from previous seasons show that Freiburg at home regularly fill the stadium to almost 99 percent capacity, and fans are used to buying their tickets in time, especially for European matches that are experienced as a holiday. That is why, for the clash with Maccabi, ticket sales are expected to be very dynamic, and fans planning a trip to Freiburg have an additional motive to secure their tickets as early as possible so they do not end up only following the broadcast.
Maccabi Tel Aviv as a regular guest on the European stage
Maccabi Tel Aviv are one of the most decorated and recognizable clubs in Israeli football, with a string of national championship titles and a rich history of European appearances. In the 2023/2024 season, the club reached the round of 16 of the Conference League, confirming that it is capable of standing up on equal terms to clubs from stronger leagues, and already in 2024/2025 it won the Israeli championship and entered Champions League qualifiers before, through a move into the Europa League, continuing its European campaign in the league phase. In the current 2025/2026 season, the team is led by Žarko Lazetić, and Maccabi once again combine domestic duties with appearances in the Champions League and the Europa League, which makes this team’s experience extremely valuable in high-stakes matches. Dor Peretz stands out as the leader of the midfield and captain, Dor Turgeman established himself as the top scorer in the previous season, while signings such as striker Ion Nicolaescu and wingers Hélio Varela and Kervin Andrade have brought additional speed and squad depth. Maccabi also enjoy very good attendance at their home Bloomfield Stadium, with an average of around 20,000 spectators and a growth trend in the current season, so it is fair to expect a solid number of away fans in Freiburg as well. For that very reason, neutral football lovers are also advised not to wait until the last moment to buy tickets, because the combination of two temperamental fan bases makes tickets for this event a particularly sought-after commodity.
Tactical clash of styles: German structure versus Israeli combination play
On the pitch at Europa-Park Stadion, spectators can expect an interesting tactical clash of two different football identities. Under Schuster, Freiburg build their game on solid defending and a compact block, often in systems that flexibly shift between a 4-2-3-1 and a back three, with an emphasis on high pressing at the right moments and quick breaks through the flanks. The wing positions are traditionally important: Grifo and his teammates from the edges of the penalty area bring creativity from set pieces and open play, and late runs and deliveries from the second line often decide matches. Maccabi, on the other hand, come from an environment that nurtures technically pleasing football, so Lazetić most often mixes variants of 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 with lots of short passes and searching for space between the lines. The Israeli champions, on European travels, are used to speeding up the tempo through quick wingers and aggressive transitions; that style is exactly what usually opens up matches and makes them attractive for the audience. For fans, it is especially tempting to watch these tactical nuances live, where it is far easier to catch the reactions of the whole team, off-the-ball movements and the shifts of the defensive line – details that often remain hidden on television, but for those in the stands justify the effort of buying tickets in good time.
Key players and potential coaching decisions
On Freiburg’s side, all eyes are usually on Vincenzo Grifo, a man who for years has led the team in goals and assists and holds an almost complete monopoly on set pieces. His deliveries from free kicks and corners, as well as his dangerous long-range shot, make him the biggest threat to any defense, especially in the atmosphere of an almost full stadium where every touch of the ball is greeted with ovations. Up front, Freiburg can rely on physically strong strikers such as Junior Adamu or Igor Matanović, while balance in midfield is kept by workhorses Maximilian Eggestein and defensive midfielders such as Patrick Osterhage. Maccabi, on the other hand, have their anchor in Dor Peretz, who also takes on the leadership role, while up front Ion Nicolaescu and quick wingers such as Hélio Varela and Kervin Andrade have an ever-growing influence. It is precisely the duels on the flanks – for example Grifo or Derry Scherhant against aggressive Israeli full-backs – that could determine the course of the match. For fans in the stands, that means a constant feeling that something can happen in every attack, and those who secure tickets in time will have the chance to see from up close how the balance of power on the pitch changes in a second, which is what makes the Europa League so appealing.
Europa-Park Stadion: a modern football stage on the edge of the Black Forest
Europa-Park Stadion, known in UEFA competitions also under the name Stadion am Wolfswinkel, was opened in 2021 as Freiburg’s new home football hub and the modern successor to the legendary Dreisamstadion. Located in the Brühl district, west of the airport and near the university campus, the stadium was designed with the idea of bringing fans as close to the pitch as possible – steep stands surround the playing field with a continuous upper and lower ring, while a large part of the capacity consists of standing areas on the south stand where the most passionate home supporters’ end is located. The total capacity of 34,700 spectators, of which roughly a third are standing places, combines a traditional German atmosphere with the comfort of modern amenities and a clear orientation toward sustainability, including good public transport connections and a large number of bicycle parking spaces. Statistics say that in the 2024/2025 season the average attendance at Freiburg’s Bundesliga matches was more than 34,000 spectators, which corresponds to an occupancy of almost 98.5 percent – a figure that vividly explains why tickets for this event do not stay on sale for long. Add to that the fact that this is a European night with the respected Maccabi Tel Aviv coming to town, and it is clear that tickets will be the subject of great interest and that fans who want to enjoy the atmosphere of the “red-and-white” stadium should react in time.
Freiburg im Breisgau: a student city between the Black Forest and vineyards
Freiburg im Breisgau is not only a football destination, but also one of the most charming cities in southwestern Germany, located on the edge of the Black Forest and in the heart of the famous Baden wine region. The city of around 350,000 inhabitants enjoys the reputation of Germany’s warmest city, with many sunny days and a lively atmosphere in the old town center adorned by narrow streets, the Münster cathedral and characteristic little streams – the so-called Bächle – that wind along the sidewalks and in summer bring a dose of refreshment. Freiburg is also an old university center, founded in the 15th century, which means the city is full of young people, bicycles and cafés where the atmosphere warms up long before the evening kick-off. This very combination of a historic core, wine cellars and the proximity of the wooded hills of the Black Forest makes Freiburg an ideal destination for fans who want to combine a football match and an extended weekend. If you are planning to come from Croatia or other parts of Europe, it is worth considering booking accommodation earlier, because hotels and apartments near the stadium and the city center are particularly sought after on big matchdays – an overview of options will be made easier for you by accommodation offers in Freiburg for fans, especially if, along with match tickets, you also secure a place to stay right away.
How to get to Europa-Park Stadion and practical tips for fans
One of the great advantages of Europa-Park Stadion is its exceptionally good transport connectivity, which further increases the attractiveness of buying tickets for fans coming from other cities. From Freiburg’s main station to the stadium you can get there in just a few minutes using public transport – special tram lines, including Line 4 towards Messe and additional lines directed specifically at SC Freiburg matchdays, stop at the “Europa-Park Stadion” station, while local buses and taxis offer an alternative for those in a hurry. The club and the city strongly encourage arriving by bicycle, so in the immediate vicinity of the stadium more than several thousand free bicycle parking spaces are provided, and for those arriving by car there are several parking zones and parking options in the Messe Freiburg area. To avoid crowds, it is advisable to set off earlier, especially if you are arriving during the afternoon rush hour or want to grab something to eat before the match. Fans planning an overnight stay or a multi-day visit will find it useful to check accommodation close to the venue, so that after the match they have a short walk back to the hotel or apartment, while at the same time, with the very first click on the ticket purchase button, they put together a complete travel plan.
Safety, fan culture and the live match experience
In recent years European football has been paying increasing attention to safety, which has been particularly highlighted in the context of Maccabi Tel Aviv, whose supporters have been at the center of numerous debates during visits to some Western European cities. For example, recent decisions by local authorities in England to restrict or ban the arrival of away supporters for certain matches involving Maccabi have sparked major controversies and criticism from parts of the public, including warnings that such bans can be interpreted as discriminatory, which was followed by political reactions and independent investigations. In Freiburg, however, cooperation between the club, police and city services is traditionally emphasized with the aim of creating a safe but open atmosphere for all visitors, so it is expected that Maccabi supporters who come to Germany will have clearly defined zones and movement protocols, without undermining the matchday experience. Home fans are known for loud but correct support, and the stands combine family sections, standing blocks for the most passionate supporters and sections for away fans. Given the expected high interest, fans are recommended to buy tickets earlier, check on them the exact entrances and sectors, and arrive at the stadium with a time buffer before kick-off to pass security checks without unnecessary rushing, and then calmly enjoy the teams’ warm-up and the building of the atmosphere.
Planning your stay: combining football, the city and fan socializing
For many, this away trip or excursion to Freiburg will be more than just the match – it is an opportunity to turn a football night into a small winter city break, with exploration of the old town, local vineyards and wooded trails of the Black Forest. Given that the match is played at 18:45, fans who arrive the day before or stay the day after the game have plenty of time for a walk through the historic center, a visit to the Münster cathedral or a cable-car ride toward the surrounding hills. Winter in Freiburg often brings cool but tolerable temperatures, and city cafés and restaurants offer cozy interiors where fans can warm up before heading to the stadium. In such a combination of football and travel, it is logical to think about accommodation that will allow easy movement between the stadium and the city center, so many fans, especially those coming from abroad, will first look at accommodation for fans on matchday, and then, in the same breath, click the button to buy tickets so the whole experience is arranged in time. The earlier the trip is planned, the more relaxed the time around the match will be, filled with fan gatherings instead of stressful searches for the last free rooms and tickets.
One more note for fans: why it is smart to secure tickets already now
The match between SC Freiburg and Maccabi Tel Aviv in Matchday 7 of the Europa League league phase combines a number of reasons why demand for tickets can reach a maximum: a host with an almost always full stadium, a guest with a string of domestic titles and an increasingly strong European reputation, an attractive kick-off time and a special competition that in the new format provides a full 90 minutes of uncertainty, without calculating about a “return leg” in a group. Beyond the quality of play itself, it is also about the atmosphere – from the moment the trams and buses toward the stadium fill up, through fan songs in surrounding neighborhoods, to the sight of red-and-white and yellow-and-blue scarves in the stands. For everyone considering coming, buying tickets before matchday means the security of getting the desired sector and seat, and often a better range of prices and ticket categories. Likewise, early planning also makes it easier to coordinate accommodation, travel and any obligations at work or university, so this match can easily fit into the schedule as a reward in the middle of the season. That is why it is no surprise that fans are advised to look for tickets for this event as soon as they see the purchase button, because once the lights of Europa-Park Stadion shine over the pitch, the only thing still missing will be your voice from the stands.
Sources:
- UEFA.com – explanation of the new Europa League format and league phase
- Wikipedia / club seasonal pages – results and historical appearances of SC Freiburg and Maccabi Tel Aviv
- SC Freiburg and official city websites – information about Europa-Park Stadion, capacity and transport connectivity
- Transfermarkt – attendance statistics of SC Freiburg and Maccabi Tel Aviv in domestic leagues
- International news agencies and portals – reports on security issues and Maccabi Tel Aviv’s away trips in Europe